Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy led the team with 15 sacks last season, earning his first Pro Bowl nod. / Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY Sports

by Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY Sports

by Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY Sports

SPARTANBURG, S.C. â?? Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy, who exercised his right to a jury trial after he was recently convicted by a district judge in North Carolina of assaulting an ex-girlfriend, continues to practice with the Carolina Panthers and prepare for the season.

How the NFL deals with domestic abuse has been a hot topic the past week after Commissioner Roger Goodell announced a two-game suspension for Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, who allegedly assaulted a woman who is the now his wife. On Sunday, Hardy meet with the news media at the Panthers' Woffod College training camp.

Before Hardy took questions, the Panthers' media relations department laid down restrictions that he would not address the ongoing legal case or questions peripheral to it. It was football questions only. Hardy struck to that, repeatedly.

"I'm excited to be in camp, glad to be back in the football season," said the fifth-year pro who led the Panthers with 15 sacks last season.

Has he talked to teammates to clear the air?

"Can't answer that question," he said.

Has he been a distraction to the team?

"I hate that I have distracted my team, but other than that I really can't answer that question," he said.

Did he apologize to teammates?

"Can't answer that question," he said. "It's a team thing. We're going to keep it inside."

Last year, Hardy tossed out that he wanted 58 sacks. He got more talkative when asked about that.

"I like that number still. I feel like it was a good solid, whole number, and I'm going to shoot for it again," said Hardy. "And I want to say this time I'm 'shooting' for it, so everybody knows. I didn't say I was going to get 58. But I am going to shoot for 58."

On July 15, a district judge in Mecklenburg County convicted Hardy in a non-jury trial on charges stemming from an alleged assault on his ex-girlfriend, Nicole Holder, last May at his residence. Judge Becky Thorne Tin found Hardy guilty of assault on a female and communicating threats. She sentenced him to 60 days in prison that was suspended and 18 months of probation.

Hardy appealed the decision, and under North Carolina law he is entitled to a jury trial that may not begin until after the NFL season.

According to the Charlotte Observer, Holder told the judge during the non-jury trial that she sustained bruises on her back when Hardy threw her on a futon covered with guns. And Hardy testified that she swung at him, threatened to kill herself and was hurt when she threw herself into the bathtub.

"Obviously, what's happened with Greg is very concerning and very disappointing. These are very serious allegations," general manager Dave Gettleman said last week.

"At the same time, we also respect the fact that Greg has appealed the decision and is entitled to a jury trial. â?¦ We have been in touch with the league and we're in the position that they have a personal conduct policy, which we are part of. And at the same time, we have to respect the legal process."

In his session with the new media, Hardy answer only football -- and contractual -- questions.

He is playing this season under the Panthers' franchise tag, which will pay him $13.1 million as a defensive end. "Awesome, I get to stay another year, hang out with my guys, play some football," he said.

Yes, he thinks the Carolina defense can improve after ranking No. 2 last season in fewest yards and points allowed.

"Yeah, most definitely," he said. "We jelled this offseason. We're going to continue to jell during camp and hopefully the heat and just the stress â?¦ on the new guys and everything will bring them up speed and we'll all take it to another level and advance on what we did last year."

How have the last months been for him?

"I can't really answer questions like that," he said.

His thoughts about focusing on football? Does that make it better for him?

"Can't answer that question," he said.

Gettleman indicated the team will wait for the league to decide whether Hardy merit's suspension under the league's personal conduct policy.

"What I can say, and you can see it with the Ray Rice decision, is that it appears the league is going to let the entire process play out," said Gettleman.

What about the Panthers' organization?

"Obviously, everybody has to deal with this. â?¦ It's not an easy situation," said Gettleman. "But it's in the courts and we have to respect that process."

Goodell suspended Rice for two games in connection with an alleged February assault at a New Jersey casino on the woman who is now his wife, the former Janay Palmer.

In May, it was announced Rice would enter a program for first-time offenders that would clear his record of a criminal charge provided he met certain conditions, including participation in family counseling. Rice had been facing a charge of third-degree aggravated.